Racing Hearts

Former competitive kayaker Adams brings her experience to bear in this sparkling sports romance. Kath Parker’s dreams of success at the World Rowing Cup in Italy are dashed when her boyfriend, Maxwell, breaks up with her immediately before the race. She comes in dead last and loses her sponsors and her spot at the Olympic Training Center in California. Kath’s coach proposes that she head home to Berkeley, Calif., to train for the upcoming Pan American Games with Adrian Crawford, a promising youth coach who’s being considered for a job at the national level. Kath is insulted, but if she proves herself and provides an honest assessment of Adrian’s skills, she could earn back her training spot. She doesn’t realize until arriving, however, that Adrian is the handsome stranger she danced with at a bar in Italy following her disastrous race. Despite their intense mutual attraction, Kath is reluctant to adopt Adrian’s somewhat unorthodox training methods. The pair eventually give in to their desires, but their relationship may not be strong enough to last after the competition is over. Adams makes the scenes on the water just as gripping as the angsty, emotionally rich relationship drama. It’s a promising start. (Feb.)